Gramps Poem by Doug Blair

Sarah brings the kids this Saturday.

Takes about two days getting ready

For the laughter and commotion.

They still think I’m all about

Catch and horseshoes.

Bursitis in the shoulder

Tells a different story.

Karen is quite the lady

For all of eleven

Watching out for posture

And draping skirts.

But Benjy comes for circus,

Stories and adventure.

Wish Gramma could have seen

Him past the coughing

And respirators.

She was so thrilled when Sarah

Moved back to Town.

Seemed to take years off her tally.

Little did we know.

But I will have them here

Old Girl.

And will see you again so clearly

In Karen’s sideward look.

In the kids’ guest room

You painted for them

And that shelf full

Of all the colourful books

And the puzzles.

Somehow you will seem

Near in following days

As the dust settles

And our old clock

Ticks in the Hall.